CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Executing the Payo-vrata
Process of Worship

As described in this chapter, because Aditi, the mother of the demigods,
was very afflicted, her husband, Kasyapa Muni, told her how to observe
vows in austerities for the benefit of her sons.

Since the demigods were not visible in the heavenly kingdom, their
mother, Aditi, because of separation from them, was very much ag-
grieved. One day after many, many years, the great sage Kasyapa
emerged from a trance of meditation and returned to his dsrama. He saw
that the asrama was no longer beautiful and that his wife was very
morose. Everywhere in the asrama, he saw signs of lamentation. The
great sage therefore inquired from his wife about the well-being of the
asrama and asked her why she looked so morose. After Aditi informed
Kasyapa Muni about the asrama’s well-being, she told him that she was
lamenting for the absence of her sons. She then requested him to tell her
how her sons could return and reoccupy their positions. She wanted all
good fortune for her sons. Moved by Aditi’s request, Kasyapa Muni in-
structed her in the philosophy of self-realization, the difference between
matter and spirit, and how to be unaffected by material loss. But when he
saw that Aditi was not satisfied even after he had given these instruc-
tions, he advised her to worship Vasudeva, Janardana. He assured her
that only Lord Vasudeva could satisfy her and fulfill all her desires.
When Aditi then expressed her desire to worship Lord Vasudeva,
Prajapati Kasyapa told her about a process of worship known as payo-
vrata, which is executed in twelve days. Lord Brahma had instructed him
how to satisfy Lord Krsna by this process, and thus he advised his wife to
observe this vow and its regulative principles.

TEXT 1
yA SAA

at Gay ay saHratic fret |
qa Gift eel: aaarazaraag Il 2 II

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